Category Archives: Important Announcements

Posts that need to appear on the front page of the website go in this category.

Sunday, March 15: Church Open for Prayer 10:00am – 3:00pm

St. John the Evangelist Church will be open Sunday from 10:00am to 3:00pm for anyone who would like to visit the church for private prayer.

We will post the open hours during the coming week as soon as we have a schedule.

Updated Directives and Important Information

As you know, the Cardinal has temporarily suspended all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice. We will be able to open our churches in order that the Catholic faithful can have the opportunity to visit the church for times of prayer, and will let you know as soon as we have a schedule.  We are also working on ways we can engage in our faith, and with each other, during this difficult time. Please join our email list to receive important updates as well as information about faith opportunities and ways we can help those who are most vulnerable in our community. Join Our Email List

We ask that you please continue to support your parish during this troubling time.

Weekly donations may be mailed to the Parish (St. John the Evangelist Parish 39 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 02481)

Please consider switching to online giving, which supports your parish even when Mass attendance is disrupted. You can also use online giving to make a one-time donation.

Link to Online Giving at St. John

Other Events at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

In keeping with directives from the Archdiocese of Boston and the recommendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative is cancelling or postponing all gatherings and non-essential activities until further notice. 

This includes Religious Education classes and eventsYouth Ministry eventssmall groups, and other meetings.

We must also suspend the use of all Collaborative facilities by outside groups, in support of the guidance of the Commonwealth and the Town of Wellesley. This includes all facilities and buildings of St. Paul Parish, St. John the Evangelist Parish, and Saint John School.

We understand that these decisions and restrictions have a significant impact and far-reaching ramifications for our community, and understand the frustration and uncertainty that is created. Please know that the practices that are being put in place, while disappointing and disruptive, are being done for the common good. We all must do our part to slow down this epidemic.

May God bless our efforts; may Christ be our model of care for others and may Mary intercede for all the sick and suffering.  – Cardinal Seán

Please continue to keep all those affected by the coronavirus, their families, and our health care workers in your prayers.

Coffee and Donuts Cancelled

Our Sunday morning Coffee & Donuts after the Family Mass is cancelled until further notice, in keeping with the current guidance to limit non-essential gatherings.  Thank you for understanding.

Religious Education Classes Cancelled

After careful consideration, and in keeping with the recommendations from the Commonwealth to postpone, cancel, or hold virtually any discretionary events or programs, we have made the decision to cancel all Religious Education classes at St. John and St. Paul until further notice.

As you know, this is a rapidly developing situation, and our foremost concern is for the health and safety of our students, catechists, and their families. We are monitoring these developments, as well as the guidance we are receiving from the Town of Wellesley, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Archdiocese of Boston, as we evaluate our options for the remaining weeks of this session. We will continue to update you as this situation continues to develop.

Please continue to keep those affected by the coronavirus, their families, and our health care workers in your prayers.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner CANCELLED

We are disappointed to announce that out of an abundance of caution we will not be holding the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at St. Paul on March 14.  We thank everyone for their efforts to date and look forward to next year. If you have already purchased tickets, please send an email to stpaulsocialcommittee@gmail.com so that we can provide you a refund.

Ash Wednesday, February 26

Lenten CrossCOLLABORATIVE SCHEDULE
7:00am Mass at St. John (Upper Church)
9:00am Mass at St. Paul
9:00am Mass at St. John (with Saint John School – all welcome!)
12:00pm Mass at St. John
2:10pm Ash Service at St. Paul (with St. Paul Religous Ed – all welcome!)
5:30pm Mass at St. John
7:00pm Mass at St. Paul

The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative has a rich, full schedule of Lenten programs, liturgies, and events – click here for more information: Lent 2020  Please join us on this Lenten journey!

One Day Spiritual Retreat for Grieving Parents – Saturday, February 8

The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative and The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents invite you to a one day spiritual retreat for parents whose children of any age have died by any cause, no matter how long ago.

Saturday, February 8 from 9:30am to 7:00pm
St. John the Evangelist Parish

9 Glen Road Wellesley, MA 02481

$25/person or $40/couple
(Registration fee includes three meals and all retreat materials)
Ample free parking
Scholarships are available

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED – REGISTER ONLINE AT: www.emfgp.org

For more information, call Diane, Paul’s Mother at 617.542.8057 or email: diane@emfgp.org

January 25/26: An Important Message from Cardinal Seán

When the Church raises a prophetic cry, “Choose Life”, we are performing a great service to all society. Life is sacred. Life is a mystery. Life must be protected, nurtured, respected. The Gospel of Life is the center piece of the Church’s social teaching.

When the value of life is compromised or diminished, all life is at risk. When we give the State the power to determine which human beings are worthy of living and which should be eliminated, what we are doing is opening a Pandora’s Box that unleashes every kind of injustice and violation of human dignity and jeopardizes the very meaning of democratic coexistence. Rather than societies of people living together, we create a society where people are rejected, marginalized, uprooted and oppressed…

Full Text

A Visit from Chris Holownia – This Sunday, December 29

Chris Holownia, our Jesuit seminarian, will be home and joining us for both the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses this Sunday, December 29! He will joyfully accompany both choirs on the piano and also say a few words after the homily about his current placement at Loyola University of Chicago, where he has been assigned for “First Studies.” Please plan to attend one of these Masses and say hello to Chris!

Tonight’s Reflection with Fr. Hehir is CANCELLED

Due to the storm and the forecast for continued snow and ice this evening, tonight’s reflection on The Gospel According to St. John with Fr. Bryan Hehir is CANCELLED. 

We will reschedule in January – stay tuned for a new date!